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“From the Dressing Room” with “Jersey Boys”

06.25.14

In the second "From the Dressing Room" interview at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, Greer's Girl Kelley Moody sat down with "Jersey Boys" tour stars Hayden Milanes (Frankie Valli), Quinn VanAntwerp (Bob Gaudio) and stage manager, Matt Leiner to ask fans' need to know questions.

Watch the video to see them answer questions submitted via Twitter, Facebook and email at Segerstrom Center For The Arts in Costa Mesa.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts welcomes back "Jersey Boys", the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical about Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is playing in Orange County from June 24 -- July 13, 2014.

Single tickets, which start at $29.75, will are on sale online at SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling 714.556.2787.

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Greer's Girls

Greer’s OC Takes NYC

06.24.14

Max Brenner: Chocolate Addiction

by Kelley Moody

No trip to New York City is complete without a few sweet indulgences, and if you’re looking for chocolate, Max Brenner is the place to be. This café/restaurant combo is 6,000 square feet located right in the heart of Union Square. The ambiance has a sophisticated, chocolatey flair that is crowned by the delightful menu of chocolate based treats.

At Max Brenner, there is no such thing as spoiling your appetite before dinner. Each item is meant to meet the standards of fulfillment and enjoyment. I started my meal with the Salted Caramel Milkshake.

Slowly churned vanilla ice cream, milk chocolate ganache and sweet caramel united in one rich beverage complimenting my dish of Banana Split Waffles. Each bite was complete with tasty caramelized bananas and Max Brenner’s signature Choco-Pops. I will admit that after this late night visit, I returned the following morning for a White Chocolate Chai that tickled my taste buds into a chocolate heaven.

The founder of this dreamlike chocolate factory shares his chocolate love story in the menu, finding that all his life he has been drawn back to his irresistible urge to make sweets though he hopes to one day write novels.

The only downside to this experience I encountered was the knowledge that I wouldn’t be a simple subway ride away from this location when returning to Orange County. It will certainly be a favorite on my NYC to do list upon my next return.

Pleasant Surprises at Serendipity 3

Rounding the streets of New York it is typical to see bright lights and giant signs meant to catch the attention of any tourist onlookers, but Serendipity 3 shyly keeps to itself between 2^nd and holds delectable secrets for all who enter.

Founded by Stephen Bruce in 1954, this tight little restaurant has entered the spotlight in multiple movies and TV shows. The menu currently holds two Guinness World Record titles for the most expensive dessert and burger with their $1,000 “Golden Opulence Sundae” and $295 “Le Burger Extravagant.” Celebrity frequenters such as Marilyn Monroe and Andy Warhol have visited through the decades.

I kept my visit on the relatively cheap end in comparison to these lavish bites, but still found myself perfectly content with the delicious, signature Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. Think cool chocolate milk meets icy sundae and you will find yourself slurping down this sweet and delicate bowl of chilled cocoa. While enjoying this treat I recommend taking a look at the gaudy décor of floating butterflies with stained glass wings and historical knick knacks that can be found throughout the restaurant.

Lucky for us west coast folk we can get a taste of this darling restaurant in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace making our ventures into fortuitous happenstance even more likely.

Philanthropic Delights at Magnolia Bakery

The charming Magnolia Bakery is a tourist favorite when looking for quickly baked sweets on the streets of New York City. I personally recommend the Peanut Butter Toffee Bar: crumbly, nutty, cheap and easy—what could be better! But what really left me with happy stomach was Magonlia Bakery’s appetite for humanity.

Magnolia Bakery makes daily efforts to contribute locally and internationally with donations of baked goods to those in need. This franchise has held partnerships with multiple foundations including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and NRDC. Actor Michael J. Fox stopped in for a cupcake to celebrate his 53^rd birthday the day after my own visit. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has also worked with the bakery in the past.

While Magnolia Bakery continues to bake up new menu items and featured cupcakes, they are always looking for new organizations to get involved with. Donation request forms are available on their website.

This little shop has announced that it will continue to expand internationally to Tokyo, Moscow and Mexico City with locations already in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and other hot spots around the globe.

You can enjoy Magnolia Bakery at 8389 West 3^rd in New York. 323.951.0636

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